converting home lcd to mobile

**bsostack** · 08-26-2003, 09:05 PM

I've been doing some research on the subject and found that most LCDs made for your home actually do run off of 12V DC the unit itself just breaks down the 115V AC to DC. IMHO this would save a lot of money and would enable a lot of the cool bigger screens designed for home use feasible for in-car use. Of course I could always use an inverter but I have heard they have their problems.

Has anyone ever done something like this before? I've looked around and haven't found anything...

BTW the screen I am looking at is made by NITS and is a 17" w/ S-video in as well...no touch screen, and I know it weighs more...but oh well, I think a 17" screen would kick ***. Cheapest price I found is $299. here's a link to the monitor http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=29502

Thanks in advance.

**doig** · 08-26-2003, 11:48 PM

you'd need to regulate the power going into it, but depending on what current the screen takes a small linear regulator with the right heatsink could do it. Other options would be the more exotic flybacks (ala sproggy) which would do the same thing, just with more components, more complexity and more efficiency.

Then theres just the small problem of fitting it in the dash....

**nixapatfan** · 08-27-2003, 11:33 AM

Before you buy a 17" you should measure it out in your car first. I have a Suburban and a 15" is too big to fit in the dash or console.

**T1NY W** · 08-27-2003, 02:45 PM

If I can fit a 15" screen into a tiny little smart car im sure you guys can fit them in your SUV's ! :lol

**T1NY W** · 08-27-2003, 03:09 PM

heres a pic....

It motorises straight down, flush with the top of the dash, in case you wondered how I drive !! lol
I use it with the top half showing for Nav while driving etc

**MeanGT** · 08-27-2003, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by T1NY W

heres a pic....

It motorises straight down, flush with the top of the dash, in case you wondered how I drive !! lol
I use it with the top half showing for Nav while driving etc

Thats pretty sweet! do you actually drive around with that up and turned on? Here in the states, that would get you immediately pulled over by your closest friendly policeman. Did you make it yourself? or did someone else do that??

**T1NY W** · 08-27-2003, 04:09 PM

Yeah I use it all the time for GPS nav, and for watching movies at shows/cruises etc.. oh and for playing PS2

Over here it's legal to use a screen while driving so long as it's not a moving image, or has something to do with the satus of the car ie. gps

oh.. but I only use it halfway up while driving or I cant see where im going !! lol

**Confused** · 08-27-2003, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by T1NY W

Over here it's legal to use a screen while driving so long as it's not a moving image, or has something to do with the satus of the car ie. gps

Cool, another person to back my dad up (normally he's pretty good with legality to do with stuff on/in cars, but i've had him proved wrong a couple of times recently, so was starting to doubt him!

) with him saying providing it's not a moving image (ie video/tv) and is to do with status of car/navigation

Garry